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Hanoi
© 2008 Stig Albeck & Ventus Publishing ApS
Translation: Claus Jensen
All rights and copyright relating to the content of this
book are the property of Ventus Publishing ApS, and/or its
suppliers. Content from ths book, may not be reproduced
in any shape or form without prior written permission from
Ventus Publishing ApS.
Quoting this book is allowed when clear references are made,
in relation to reviews are allowed.
ISBN 978-87-7061-295-1
1st edition
Pictures and illustrations in this book are reproduced according
to agreement with the following copyright owners
Gorm Albeck, Tony Hansen & Georgia Roessler.
The stated prices and opening hours are indicative and may
have been subject to change after this book was published.
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5
A visit to Hanoi/Hà N͙i
Visitors to Hanoi experience an exquisite blend of
the historical and political Vietnam, as well as recent
colonial times, where French architecture and
cultural influence are apparent. When strolling
through the streets, the visitor can be transported
back to French colonial times by going to the opera,
or by visiting the city’s Catholic Cathedral, perhaps
the most visible symbol of the French influence.
Alternatively one can take a walk among the
buildings in the traditional Asian cultural landscape
of the city, or among modern Vietnam’s impressive
buildings and beautiful museums.
Regardless which part one chooses to visit, Hanoi
has everywhere that particular Asian charm
characteristic of the great cities in this part of the
world. Hanoi is unique in this context with its blend
of temples, churches and pagodas from bygone
centuries in the midst of a population of 3.4 million.
Have a good trip!
A visit to Hanoi
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Hanoi
6
Historical outline
There have been settlements since ancient times on
the fertile plain by the river delta where Hanoi is
situated. During the centuries, several states have
formed and disappeared in the area that is now
Vietnam; for instance the Kingdom of Funan, which
was founded 2000 years ago in the Mekong Delta in
present-day Vietnam.
In the year 1010, the Ly Dynasty was established by
King Ly Thai Po, who came from the nearby city of
Dinh Bang. On that occasion he founded Than
Long, the present-day Hanoi, which he made capital
of the kingdom. Thang Long means ”Ascending
Dragon”, and according to legend, Ly Thai Po chose
the location upon seeing a dragon there.
This was the first time a Vietnamese dynasty had
been independent of Chinese influence, and Thang
Long developed rapidly. In the course of time, a
number of institutions were established in Hanoi,
including the One-Pillar Pagoda, which King Thai
Tong Po built in 1049, and Vietnam’s first university,
the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070.
Apart from a few periods of scattered revolts and
attacks from without, the city enjoyed peace and
progress for many centuries. The city plan for
Hanoi’s Old City, with its many narrow and winding
streets, took form in the 13
th
century, and the city
progressed steadily.
Thang Long’s status as capital ended in 1802, when
Emperor Gia Long, who founded the Nguyen
Dynasty, conquered the city along with North
Vietnam and united it with the part of the country
that today constitutes the central part of Vietnam.
Gia Long made the city of Hue the new capital,
since it was more centrally located. Thang Long was
renamed Hanoi, a name which alludes to the city’s
location near the river, and it continued to be the
administrative centre of the region in which it lay.
In the mid-18th century, France’s colonial interests
began to focus on Vietnam, French Indochina. The
country was to function as the spearhead for greater
French influence in the area, and beginning in 1848
the French repeatedly attacked Vietnamese territory.
In 1872 the French conquered the Jean Dupuis
citadel in Hanoi, and this became the first step in
the French colonization of the area. After a few
years of scattered but persistent fighting, Hanoi was
conquered, and North Vietnam officially became a
French protectorate.
In 1887 Hanoi became the administrative centre for
the French-Indochinese Union, and numerous
mansions, theatres, churches and government
buildings were built, which along with the city plan,
featuring French-style avenues, show the French
dominance of the area in the first several decades of
the 20
th
century.
Following Japan’s withdrawal from Vietnam in
1945, the Communist Party became the country’s
most successful anti-colonial movement. The idea
of an independent Vietnam was made manifest on
September 2
nd
when Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the
Democratic Republic of Vietnam in Hanoi’s Ba
Dinh Square.
Ho Chi Minh’s proclamation marked the beginning
of many years of war. The Vietnamese waged a
guerrilla war against the French colonial power until
the French were finally defeated by Dien Bien Phu
in 1954. The war destroyed many of Hanoi’s
historic buildings, but some of the most important
were later rebuilt.
Immediately following the French withdrawal from
Hanoi and North Vietnam, an international
resolution was agreed upon which provisionally
divided Vietnam into the Communist North and
the American controlled South, with a view to
unifying the country in 1956. Hanoi was now
established as the capital of Ho Chi Minh’s regime.
However, instead of the planned unification of the
Historical outline
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Hanoi
7
country, many years of fighting broke out between
the communist North on one side and American
troops and Vietnamese factions supported by the
United States on the other. At the time of the most
intensive bombardments of Hanoi, in 1965-1968,
large parts of the city were destroyed and most of
the population was evacuated.
Ho Chi Minh died in 1969, but that did not affect
the North Vietnamese Army, which slowly began to
gain the upper hand in the struggle. In 1973 the
United States withdrew from Vietnam, which was
now reunited as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,
with Hanoi as capital, and a mausoleum was built in
the Ba Dinh Square in honour of Ho Chi Minh.
A great reconstructive effort was undertaken after
Vietnam’s unification and final independence, and
most of the historical buildings were rebuilt. In the
1980s, the doors were opened to foreign investment,
and the country began to invest in its tourist
industry, which attracts more and more visitors
because of Vietnam’s nature, climate, fascinating
history and great hospitality
Historical outline
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Tour 1: Hanoi
1. Kim Lien Pagoda /Chùa Kim Liên
Quang An city quarter
The Kim Lien Pagoda was built in the 13
th
century
(when it was called the Dong Long Pagoda), but its
present appearance goes back to a major renovation
in 1771. The pagoda was originally part of the Tu
Hoa Palace from the Ly Dynasty. The pagoda is a
beautiful and harmonious construction, and the
entrance gate to the area is also interesting.
2. Tran Quoc Pagoda/
Chùa Tran Quoc
Eastern shore of West Lake
The Tran Quoc pagoda is Vietnam’s oldest, with
roots going back to the 6
th
century. However, it has
only been in its present location since 1615, when it
was removed from its original location by the Red
River to the area by the dam.
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The pagoda’s garden is well worth a visit. It contains,
among other things, a typical rise with bonsai trees
and a small artificial lake.
3. Quan Thanh Temple/
Den Quan Thanh
Quan Thanh
The Quan Thanh Temple was built in the 11
th
century, but its present appearance is due to several
expansions made between then and 1677.
Just inside the temple’s impressive entrance gate,
there is a statue of Tran Vu, who, according to
legend, helped An Duong defend the area in the 3
rd
century.
4. Presidential Palace/Phu Chu Tich
Phu Chu Tich/Hung Vuong
Vietnam’s beautiful Presidential Palace was built in
1900-1908 as residence for the French Governor-
General. When Vietnam became independent, Ho
Chi Minh chose not to stay in the palace because it
symbolized French colonial power, and since then
the palace has functioned as the country’s official
residence for foreign visitors, such as heads of state.
Ho Chi Minh himself took up residence in a part of
the servants’ quarters.
5. Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House/
Nha San Bac Ho
Behind the Presidential Palace
In 1958 Ho Chi Minh moved from the servants’
quarters of the Presidential Palace to this stilt house,
built in traditional Northern Vietnamese style.
Ho Chi Minh used the ground floor for official
purposes, and the 1
st
floor as office and bedroom.
He lived in the house until his death in 1969.
6. Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum/
Lang Chu Tich Ho Chi Minh
Ba Dihn
Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum was built in 1973-1975
in the Ba Dinh Square, which was the place where
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Hanoi
10
he had proclaimed Vietnam’s independence on
September 2
nd
, 1945. Ho Chi Minh died exactly 24
years later.
Today soldiers guard the mausoleum, but it is
possible to gain access. Please be aware that
respectful clothing is a requirement for entering the
mausoleum.
7. One-Pillar Pagoda/Chùa Mot Cot
This pagoda’s peculiar construction, resting as it
does on only one pillar, is, according to legend, due
to the circumstance that King Ly Thai Tong in 1049
had a dream about the Goddess of Mercy, Quan Am,
where she sat in a lotus flower. Since a lotus flower
rests on a single stem, a monk advised the king to
build the pagoda after the same fashion.
The original pagoda was built in the 11
th
century, but
the present one is a reconstruction done in 1955
after the original was destroyed during the French
withdrawal from Hanoi the previous year.
8. Ho Chi Minh Museum/
Bao tang Ho Chi Minh
Ngo Ha 3
This museum was built in honour of the unified
Vietnam’s founding father, Ho Chi Minh, and was
opened in 1990 to mark the centenary of his birth.
The museum captures Ho Chi Minh’s life very well,
and thereby a large part of Vietnam’s recent history.
The collection is rich in effects, and different films
featuring Ho Chi Minh are shown. The museum is
a good place to get a sense of the significance their
founding father has to the Vietnamese people.
9. Temple of Literature/Van Mieu
Quoc Tu Giam
Hanoi’s Temple of Literature has since its
foundation in 1070 been central to the city’s cultural
development. As early as 1076, a university was
built by the temple, which served to educate the
cream of Vietnam’s youth. The university was in
use until the status as capital shifted from Hanoi to
Hue in 1802.
The temple is dedicated to sages and philosophers
in the tradition of Confucius, and in the temple’s
strict symmetrical design it is possible to recognize
some of the strongly patriarchal ideas in
Confucianism.
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En route to the centre of the facility, the Temple of
Literature proper, the visitor passes by several
temple courtyards. Of special interest is the
courtyard containing memorial stone steles placed
on top of stone turtles. The steles were placed in
honour of the laureates of the university. The steles
tell of the person in whose honour it was made and
his contemporaries. They were all erected in the
years 1442-1779.
10. The Vietnam National Museum of
Fine Arts/Bao Tang My Thuat
Tour 1: Hanoi
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Nguyen Thai Hoc 66
The National Museum of Fine Arts has a splendid
collection showcasing the history of Vietnam’s fine
arts from its origins until present-day. The museum
was founded in 1966, and it contains works of many
different art forms. There are exhibits from
historical time, through the era of the dynasties, to
present-day art.
11. The Army Museum/
Bao Tang Quan Doi
Dien Bien Phu 28A
The Army Museum of Vietnam was founded in 1958,
and it is situated in the French Army’s former
barracks. The museum provides a narrative of
Vietnam’s Army through six important epochs, from
the formation of the army to the time of the wars
against the presence of the French and American
colonial powers.
The museum also has a section devoted to the
Vietnamese Air Force. This museum is located south
of the city centre, and its exhibits include several
aircrafts.
12. The Flag Tower/Cot Co
Dien Bien Phu
The Flag Tower, Cot Co, was built in 1812. Because
it was used by the French as an observation tower
and communication post, it was one of the few
military posts which were not destroyed by them
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Hanoi
13
13. The Hanoi Citadel/Thang Long
Hoang Dieu and Phan Dinh Phung
The Hanoi citadel was founded during the Ly
Dynasty between the 11
th
and 13
th
centuries, and it
was expanded during succeeding dynasties until the
status as capital went from Hanoi to Hue in 1802.
The original citadel had three circular walls, with the
king and his family living in the forbidden temple
area in the centre. The large area in the citadel’s
centre has been a military base for many years.
Today, not many of the original temple and defence
structures are evident. The most impressive feature
is the entrance gate facing Phan Ding Phung Street.
Across from the Hanoi Citadel, the Lenin Statue
can be seen, a present from the former Soviet
Union.
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Tour 2: Hanoi
14. Long Bien Bridge/Cau Long Bien
Cau Long Bien
The bridge over the Red River was built in 1898-
1902. It is 1,683 metres long, which made it Asia’s
longest bridge at the time. It was the French
Governor-General Paul Doumer who initiated the
construction of the Long Bien Bridge, and it was
initially named in his honour.
When the French left Hanoi, they did so via the
Long Bien Bridge. The bridge also survived the
bombardments during the Vietnam War thanks to
regular repairs. Today the bridge is still open to
pedestrian traffic, cyclists and trains.
15. Quan Chuong Gate/
Quan Chuong
Hang Chieu
The Quan Chuong Gate is located at the entrance
to Hanoi’s Old Quarter. It is the only one
remaining of the original city gates.
The Old Quarter lies southwest of Quan Chuong.
It is a fascinating place with its narrow streets,
traditional Vietnamese atmosphere, countless small
shops and fine restaurants.
Tour 2: Hanoi
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16. Hoan Kiem Lake/Ho Hoan Kiem
Ho Hoan Kiem
The centrally located Hoan Kiem Lake is a lovely
oasis in Hanoi. There are several green areas around
the lake, with, among other things, cafes. The lake
was previously connected with other lakes in the city;
it assumed its present size in the late 19
th
century.
16a. Ngoc Son Temple/Den Ngoc Son
Ho Hoan Kiem
The idyllically situated Ngoc Son Temple was built
by Nguyen Van Sieu in 1864 on an island in the
Hoan Kiem Lake. Access to the island is via the
beautifully named Huc - the Morning Sunlight
Bridge. By the bridge stands Thap But, the Pen
Tower, which has the Chinese inscription, Ta Thanh
Thien, meaning ”writing on the blue sky”. These
words allude to the great Vietnamese writer and
scholar, Van Suong.
South of Ngoc Son lies Tortoise Island, where the
Tortoise Tower was erected in 1886. It is said to
bring luck if one sees a tortoise on the islan.
17. The National Bank/Vietcombank
The Vietnamese National Bank is located in an
interesting building, built in a Modernistic style in
the period 1925-1930 by the French architect
Georges André Trouvé.
18. The Vietnam Museum of
Revolution/Bao Tang Cach Manh
Tran Quang Khai 216
This museum focuses on Vietnam’s history from
1945 until today, although the prehistory of the
revolution, dating back to 1858, is included.
The exhibition is divided by themes, such as the
period 1945-1975 and the country’s struggle for
independence and unification, Vietnam’s economic
development from 1976, and Ho Chi Minh and the
Communist Party.
19. The National Museum of
Vietnamese History/Bao Tang Lich Su
Trang Thien
This museum was founded in 1958, and its rich
collections detail all periods of Vietnamese history
until 1945, where the Museum of Revolution takes
over.
Comprised of 7,000 thousand historical relics, the
exhibition presents a broad impression of
Vietnam’s culture and development.
20. Hanoi Opera/Nha Hat Lon
Trang Thien 1
The Hanoi Opera House was built by the French in
1910-1911 in typical French Colonial style. The
inspiration came from the famous Opera Garnier in
Paris, but some claim that the Hanoi Opera is even
more beautiful than the original.
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The balcony of the opera house is the one from
which the Viet Minh proclaimed its assumption of
power in 1945.
The Opera House was renovated in 1997, and it
remains one of the city’s most beautiful buildings
from the French colonial period.
21. Ba Da Pagoda/Chùa Ba Da
This pagoda was originally built in the 14th century,
but it has been destroyed several times in the course
of history. The present pagoda was built in 1950.
22. Hanoi Cathedral/Nha Tho Lon
Nha Chung 40
St Joseph’s Cathedral of Hanoi was built with the
Notre Dame in Paris as an obvious source of
inspiration. The cathedral was built in 1884-1885 on
the grounds of the previous Bao Thien Pagoda, and
it is a striking reminder of French influence in
Vietnam.
23. Hanoi Hilton/Hoa Lo
Hoa Lo 1
Hoa Lo, also known as Hanoi Hilton, is the prison
that was used for American prisoners of war, as
well as Vietnamese prisoners. The French, who
called it Maison Centrale, built Hoa Lo in 1886-
1889. Today, only part of the original prison
complex remains; the rest has been replaced by
modern constructions.
24. The Supreme People’s Court of
Vietnam/Palais de Justice
Ly Thuong Kiet
Hanoi’s impressive Supreme Court Building was
built by the French in 1900-1906. It is an exquisite
example of French Colonial architecture.
25. The Vietnam Women’s Museum/
Bao Tang Phu Nu
Ly Thuong Kiet 36
The Vietnam Women’s Museum opened in 1995. It
details the important role of Vietnamese women in
building the Vietnamese nation.
The Museum also functions as a cultural centre for
achieving equal rights between the sexes.
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26. Quan Su Pagoda/Chùa Quan Su
Quan Su 73
Quan Su Pagoda is also known as Ambassador’s
Pagoda, because it was used to receive foreign
representatives of state in the 15th century during
the Le Dynasty. The pagoda is located at Hanoi’s
original southern entrance gate. In the mid-20th
century the pagoda underwent renovation and
several extensions, and since 1958 it has been the
home of the Vietnam Buddhist Association.
27. Palace of Friendship and Culture/
Cung Van Hoa Huu Nghi
Tran Hung Dao 91
The Palace of Friendship and Culture was built in
1978-1985 as a present to the Vietnamese labour
unions from their Soviet counterparts. The Cultural
Palace regularly hosts activities, including art
exhibitions, conferences, exhibitions and sporting
events.
Tour 2: Hanoi
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Day Tours from Hanoi
28. Dinh Bang
Dinh Bang, 15 kilometres East
The city of Dinh Bang is the birthplace of the 11
th
century Ly Dynasty founder Ly Thai To, who
became the founder of Hanoi. Today, it is possible
to visit the Den Do Temple, which was founded in
the 11
th
century in honour of Ly Thai Po.
Dinh Bang’s most famous building is its Communal
House, which was opened in 1736 after decades of
construction work. The Communal House is
considered among the most beautiful of its kind in
Vietnam; not least because its detailed fascinating
woodcarvings are impressive to behold. Among the
decorative motifs are found the four holy animals,
Lion, Dragon, Phoenix and Tortoise. Some of the
most important plants and fruits are also depicted,
such as apricot and little bamboo.
The Communal House functions as temple for
Earth, Water and Cultivation (of the land). In
addition, six statues have been erected of the city’s
ancestors, who made a special contribution to its
reconstruction after a great fire in the 15
th
century.
29. Scent Pagoda/Chùa Huong
65 kilometres Southwest
Scent Pagoda is the name of a complex consisting of
several temples and pagodas located in the beautiful
Scent Mountains.
The main temple was built during the reign of Le
Chinh Hoa, from 1680 to 1705. The other buildings
in the area were all erected at a later date. The Scent
Pagoda itself is considered one of the most beautiful
of Vietnam’s pagodas, but the other buildings, as
well as their surroundings, are very fascinating as
well.
30. Master’s Pagoda/Chùa Thay
30 kilometres West
Master’s Pagoda, or Chùa Thay, is the name of a
large area with various temple buildings and
pagodas. The most important buildings in the area
are the Pagoda of Heavenly Blessing/Chùa Thien
Phuc Tu, and the Mountain Top Pagoda/Chùa
Dinh Son Tu
The Pagoda of Heavenly Blessing is a complex
consisting of three buildings situated at the foot of
the Sai Son Mountain, which forms a splendid
background to the sacred buildings. In front of the
pagoda, a lake with a pavilion contributes to the
overall beauty of the scene.
The Mountain Top Pagoda lies behind the Pagoda
of Heavenly blessing; it consists likewise of several
buildings.
31. Pagoda of the West/
Chùa Tay Phuong
38 kilometres West
The Pagoda of the West is beautifully situated on
the Cau Lau Mountain, from which there are
splendid views of the surrounding area. The pagoda
is from 1794. It is, as most other pagodas, divided
into three buildings. The pagoda’s very beautiful
wooden statues are among the most exquisite in
Vietnam.
32. Tam Dao
Tam Dao, 80 kilometres Northwest
The French founded the town of Tam Dao at the
beginning of the 20
th
century. It is located in the
mountains at a height of 900 metres, which makes it
an ideal place of recreation away from Hanoi and
the heat of the lowlands.
Tam Dao has a few buildings in French Colonial
style, such as a stone church and some villas. Most
of the city’s original French buildings were
destroyed following French withdrawal from the
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area, but for some decades buildings were
constructed in a Soviet-inspired style.
Tam Dao is a small town set in an area of natural
beauty. The mountains stand 1,400 metres above the
plain, and there are countless stunning views of the
hilly terrain from vantage points along the drive to
the town.
33. Mia Pagoda/Chùa Mia
Mia, 50 kilometres West
The original Mia Pagoda was founded in the 12
th
century, but No Tu Ngoc Dieu, a native of the area
who became queen, built the present one in 1632.
She never forgot her background but founded the
pagoda and the temple, which functioned as a local
cultural centre.
The pagoda houses a total of 287 exquisite wooden
Buddha statues, which in groups depict different
themes and situations. The most beautiful among
them is the statue of Tantrayyana.
34. Hҧi Phòng
Hái Phòng, 90 kilometres East
The great city of Hҧi Phòng is, with a population of
1.7 million, Northern Vietnam’s most important
seaport, as well as one of the largest in the country.
It is situated in the Red River Delta. During French
reign, Hҧi Phòng was their naval base and therefore
of great strategic importance militarily as well as in
terms of trade. Because of its status as North
Vietnam’s seaport the city was bombarded by the
Americans during the Vietnam War.
There is a nice atmosphere in the centre of Hҧi
Phòng. It has many avenues, and also several
buildings from the colonial period, including the
theatre and the museum.
The city’s historical Vietnamese buildings include
the beautiful Du Hang Pagoda (Chùa Du Hang),
which was founded in 1672, but its present
appearance dates back to 1917.
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21
The city’s Communal House, Hang Kehn, built in
1856, with its exquisite wood carvings, is well worth
a visit.
Hҧi Phòng is also an excellent starting point for trips
to the Bay of Halong and its many islands, of which
Pearl Island (Cat Ba) is the best known. Pearl Island
can be reached in about an hour from Hҧi Phòng.
35. Cat Ba
Cat Ba, 120 kilometres East
Cat Ba, Pearl Island, is the most famous island in the
Halong Bay. It is an island of great natural beauty,
with tropical jungle, delightful beaches, and
limestone hills full of caves and grottos.
Every year on April 1, a festival is held in memory of
Ho Chi Minh’s visit to the island on this day in 1958.
It includes, among other things, a dragon boat race.
36. Halong Bay
120 kilometres East
The Halong Bay is among the most beautiful natural
sceneries in Vietnam. It has 1,969 beautiful and
strangely shaped islands lying scattered in the ocean.
The name Halong means ”Descending Dragon”,
which alludes to the legend that the area was created
by a dragon that spewed out the islands into the bay.
When visiting the Halong Bay, a sailing trip in the
unique archipelago is highly recommended. The
many traditional-looking Vietnamese boats offer
different trips for the visitor to choose from.
Alternatively, boat trips are arranged from Hanoi as
well.
There are many interesting grottos to visit around
the Halong Bay. Some of the most fascinating are
Dau Go on Driftwood Island, Thien Cung, just
outside Halong city and Quang Hanh, West of Cam
Pha.
The Dau Grotto consists of three large caves,
which were visited by Emperor Khai Dinh in 1917.
Thien Cung is considered the most beautiful grotto
in Halong Bay, while Quang Hanh, with its 1,300
metres, is the longest.
For those contemplating a longer stay in the Halong
Bay area, the beautifully situated resort town Bai
Chay might be the ideal place. Bai Chay has a good
atmosphere, natural beauty, a lovely beach and cosy
restaurants.
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With children in Hanoi
Hanoi Circus/Rҥp XiӃc Zirkus (Tran Nhan Tong)
Hanoi Zoo (Park Thun Le, Ba Dinh):
www.hanoizoo.com
Thang Long Water Water Puppets (Dien Tien
Hoang 57B, Hoan Kiem)
Zoological Museum (Le Thanh Tong 19)
Shopping in Hanoi
Hang Bong, Hang Dao, Hang Gai, Hang Khay,
Dong Xuan
Dong Xuan Market (Pho Hang Khoai)
Factory Outlet (Pho Hai Ba Trung 17)
Trang Tien Plaza (Hoan Kiem District)
Vincom City Towers (Hoan Kiem District)
Public Transport in Hanoi
Busses in the Hanoi Area:
www.hanoibus.com.vn
Vietnam Railways:
www.vr.com.vn
Children / Shopping / Transportation
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Hanoi
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Facts about Vietnam
Political
Official name Socialist Republic of Vietnam
C͙ng hòa Xã h͙i Chͧ nghśa Viʄt Nam
Capital Hà N͙i (Hanoi)
System of government Socialist Republic
Head of state President Nguyʂn Minh Triɼt
Head of government Prime Minister Nguyʂn Tɢn DŸng
National Day 2 September
Independence achieved 2 September 1945 from France
Primary religions Buddhism, Christianity
Language Vietnamese
Area 331,690 km²
Population (2008) 86,116,559
Facts about Vietnam
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Hanoi
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Borders on
North China
South The South China Sea
East The South China Sea, Bay of Tonkin
West Laos, Cambodia
Highest mountains
Fan Si Pan 3,142 metres
Ngoc Linh 2,598 metres
Chɉ Yang Sin 2,405 metres
Tam Ðɠo Bɬc 1,592 metres
Phu Canh 1,420 metres
Núi Tɠn Viên 1,296 metres
Bù Rinh 1,291 metres
Núi Ð͑i Thɇi 1,198 metres
Núi Hên 1,176 metres
Facts about Vietnam
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